From Willa, with Love

Gr 6—9—The latest installment in this series does not contain one driving story line. Instead, it mimics the unstructured summer of its teenage protagonist, Willa Havisham. Among other things, she helps out at her mother's Cape Cod B&B and plans a perfect wedding. She reads Greg Mortenson's Three Cups of Tea and is inspired to make the world a better place by leaving books in public places. She is confused about missing her boyfriend while being attracted to another boy. Her recently discovered half brother dashes off whenever he thinks he sees their presumably dead father. She is fond of her new stepfather, whom she calls "Dad" to his face but "Sam" to herself. Two (adult) friends develop breast cancer. Much exposition explains what happened in the previous books and why Willa cares about particular characters or situations. The church is central to her life and community. Some of this information is relevant to the current story, and some is not. Each chapter begins with a quotation about books and reading, and Willa mentions many books that she is reading and that have affected her. This and an appended booklist will send eager readers in many wonderful directions.—Amelia Jenkins, Juneau Public Library, AK